Working Under Authority
August 23, 2026
90,000 hours working → Does God care about 1/3 of your life?
Misconception: Sunday = sacred. Monday = secular.
RECAP
Part 1: God brings order to chaos. Chaos enters when humanity rejects God’s authority.
Part 2: Authority isn’t a dirty word. We talked about the beauty of submission and how God’s authority is designed for our good and protection.
Theology of Work
“The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.” Genesis 2:15 (CSB)
1. CREATED TO WORK
2. CALLED TO WORK — Workplace = mission
3. COMMANDED TO WORK
Work is worship. So how you work reveals who you worship.
“22Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. 23Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, 24knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. 25For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.” Colossians 3:22-25 (CSB)
Context:
- Doulos = slave/bondservant. Paul teaches believers living within the first-century Roman system how to honor Christ; he isn’t endorsing slavery.
- Modern employment ≠ Roman slavery, but principles of living faithfully under authority carry.
- Paul addresses masters too → Everybody ultimately answers to Jesus.
THREE ESSENTIALS OF WORKING UNDER AUTHORITY
#1 - HUMILITY → Humility Earns Trust
Working under authority:
- YOU CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH AUTHORITY UNTIL YOU’VE LEARNED TO SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY.
- DON’T DESTROY YOUR CHARACTER TRYING TO ACCELERATE YOUR CALLING.
Those who have authority:
“Masters, deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.” Colossians 4:1 (CSB)
“24When the ten disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. 25Jesus called them over and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 26It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’” Matthew 20:24-28 (CSB)
AUTHORITY ISN’T ABOUT HAVING PEOPLE UNDER YOU. IT'S ABOUT LIFTING PEOPLE AROUND YOU.
#2 - FAITHFULNESS → Faithfulness Builds Trust
Clay Scroggins → “You don’t have to be in charge to lead.”
- CHARACTER
“Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers.” Colossians 3:22 (CSB)
- CONSISTENCY
“Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever looks after his master will be honored.” Proverbs 27:18 (CSB)
- CULTURE: Think critically, don’t become critical.
“14Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15 (CSB)
#3 EXCELLENCE → Excellence Honors God
- YOUR WORK ETHIC PREACHES LONG BEFORE YOUR MOUTH DOES.
“23Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, 24knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 (CSB)
“YOU SERVE THE LORD CHRIST.” Colossians 3:24 (CSB)
Tomorrow morning you’re not just going to work. You’re going to worship.
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